Cal Fire continues to staff up in Northern California

Feather Publishing

5/23/2014

Cal Fire is increasing its staffing in Northern California in continued preparation for fire season.

Cal Fire transitioned into fire season in the counties of Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Shasta, Trinity, Lassen, Modoc and Plumas last week. Cal Fire transitioned into fire season across the Bay Area and Sacramento region May 5.

Since late January, Cal Fire has been hiring and training seasonal firefighters well ahead of schedule in order to augment its full-time firefighting force.

“We have been increasing our staffing levels since January as drought conditions have continued to leave our region in an elevated threat for wildfires,” said Keith Larkin, Cal Fire Northern Region chief. “As we are staffed up, we continue to ask the public to ensure they too are prepared for this year’s fire season.”

This year, Cal Fire has already responded to nearly 1,300 wildfires, more than twice as many fires as average. With fire season now officially underway in these areas, Cal Fire is asking homeowners to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires and that every home has 100 feet of defensible space.

Here are some tips to help prepare your home:

—Maintain 100 feet of defensible space.

—Clear all pine needles and leaves from your yard, roof and rain gutters.

—Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.

—Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants.

Residents and visitors are also warned to take steps to prevent wildfires by remembering that “One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.”

—Use trimming, mowing and powered equipment outdoors before 10 a.m.

—Check to ensure burning outdoors is allowed in your area. Cal Fire has banned outdoor burning in many areas or has required a burn permit.

—Completely extinguish all campfires.

—Make sure trailer chains and other parts of your vehicle are not dragging on the road.

For more information on preparing for wildfires and defensible space visit ReadyForWldfire.org.

Gov. Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water use by 20 percent and prevent water waste — visit SaveOurH2O.org to find out how everyone can do their part, and visit Drought.CA.gov to learn more about how California is dealing with the effects of the drought.